Subsoil dispenser



Patented Aug. 1Q, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT orrlcr.

Application October 10, 1952, Serial No. 314,027

2 Claims.- (01. 47-485) The present invention pertains to a means for conducting materials and fluids to the root area of plants to supply it with moisture, to fertilize it or to spread insecticides, fungicides or bactericides in the region insinuated by the roots,

thereby to promote the healthy and vigirous growth of the plants.

The object of the invention is to provide a device for accomplishing the purposes above set out which may be readily and easily installed for operation without tools and which, when once installed may remain in the proximity established for it, attractive ornamental embellishment combining with the utilitarian function of the device to indicate the location thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple device of this nature which is economical of manufacture, efficient in use and when inserted into the soil, will remain unaffected by it and hence will suifer no deterioration, distortion or impairment.

A further object of the invention is to provide a simple sub-soil fluid conductor from which the fluid is dispensed in substantially a trickling manner, thus insuring a gradual and even wetting of the sub-soil and preventing erosion thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character referred to which may, with little effort, be made to penetrate the ground and in which any soil or particle thereof is prevented from entering the same during the course of its penetration thereinto.

Finally, a further object of the invention is to provide a dispenser which may readily and with slight effort perforate or penetrate the earth by rotative motion and which may remain in place and be indicated by some distinguishing or conspicuous design blending with the surroundings, such design forming a reservoir for whatever fluids or materials are used and substantially a handle for rotating the device.

These and other objects are attained by a form of device illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which like numerals of reference denote like parts and in which Fig. 1 is an elevational view, partly in section, showing my invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view showing an ornamental reservoir.

Fig. 3 is a section on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the plug for closing the end of the container during the pentration thereof into the earth.

Fig. 5 is a section on line 55 of Fig 3.

The invention embodies a conductor pipe or that is provided at one end with a reservoir and at the other end with an opening for dispensing, in relatively controlled manner, the fluid contained in the reservoir and tube, the opening being adapted to be closedbya plug that is held in closing position by the soil during the penetration thereof by the tube and to be opened by removal of the plug during a partial withdrawal of the tube.

The tube or pipe I0 which is preferably tapered, is provided with a transverse wall I I at the bottom thereof. This wall I I has a central opening 92 of a diameter best suited for the escape of the fluid from the tubular container or pipe H3.

The opening l2 in said wall H is formed with diametrically opposed recesses l3 and is adapted to be closed by a plug Hi, the planar surface 15 of which is parallel to said wall. Said surface 15 is provided with a stud or stem it that has diametrically opposed tongues or projections H, which are adapted to fit into the recesses 93 when the plug Id is placed against the wall I i. In this wise, the plug is united with the tube and rotates with it to displace the earth during the insertion of the tube I0, which then remains permanently in position while in use.

The plug I6 is substantially an augur head and and is formed with the usual channels 18 and cutting edges common to augur drills and like boring implements and this provision facilitates the rotative penetration thereof through the ground, while keeping the tube free from dirt, pebbles and the like during the descent thereof.

The planar surface of said plug [6 is diametrically greater than said tube and this is of importance in that a slight withdrawal of the tube from its inserted position detaches the plug that encounters the superimposed earth and permits the fluid in the tube to escape into the ground. The plug so detached may be retrieved or left in the ground.

The top of the tube ill is provided with a reservoir l9 either of conventional form or designed to simulate a component of a natural surrounding, as a flower, Fig. 2, bird, insect or the like, and is either integral or united with the tube [0, of which it forms a convenient handle for rotating the same in effecting the penetration thereof into the earth.

The device herein described is adapted not alone for supplying needed moisture to the underground, but is highly useful in dispensing fertilizers and fungicides, as well as sirupy or pow- 3 dery insecticides that damage the plants and the roots.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A sub-soil dispenser of the class referred to comprising a tubular body adapted for permanent placement in the soil while in use, said body having a transverse wall at the bottom, and said wallhaving a central openingand diametrically opposed recesses, an augur point detachably' associated with said 'wall'and provided with a planar surface of greater diameter than said wall and with a stud for extending into and closing the opening in said Wall, saidstu'd' having diametrically opposed projections adapted to fit in the recesses in said wall and connect said augur point rotativelywithsaid tube, a

reservoir at the top of said body forming a ham dle for rotating said tubular body to penetrate the ground, said augur' point being adapted to be held in rotat'rve position with the stud thereof engaged in said wall opening, by the earth during the penetrating movement of said point and to be disengaged therefrom by partial withdrawal of said body to release the contents thereof.

2. A sub-soil dispenser of the class referred to comprising a tubular imperforate body open at the top and bottom, and the bottom thereof having oppositely disposed recesses, an augur point provided with a stud for closing the opening in the bottom of said body, said stud having diametrically opposed projections to fit into the recesses in said bottom and connect said augur point for rotation with said tubular body, said augur point being adapted to beheld connected to the end of said tubular body by the earth during the rotary penetrating movement of said body and to be disengaged therefrom by partial withdrawal of said body in substantially a verticaldirection to release the contents thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,424,157 Cook Aug. 1, 1922 2,375,860 Markham May 15, 1945 2,389,721 Brigden July 31, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 202,146 Germany Sept. 26, 1908 453,429 Great Britain Sept. 7, 1936 

